Monday, August 11, 2014

Back to School 2014: What's in my Backpack

It's that time again! As we say goodbye to summer, we welcome (begrudgingly) the hustle and bustle of school time. I got a perfect 4.0 last semester of college (humble brag) and hope to continue the trend into a semester with 2 math classes, organic chemistry and physics. I thought I would share with you all what's in my backpack as I prepare for my sophomore year of college. Wish me luck!



This is my backpack. As tempting as it was to go for the floral, cutesy, neon backpacks, I don't trust that those types of backpacks would be able to keep up with all my binders, papers and textbooks. My last Jansport backpack lasted 6 years and could probably go 6 more. I went with this pattern because it was still girly and feminine and durable. The heart pattern reminds me of the bokeh effect in pictures. This bag was on sale at JC Penney for $45. It is the design with all the pockets. My last Jansport only had a main compartment and a small one at front so this is a definite upgrade.


In the main compartment of the backpack, I have two binders, each filled with dividers and notebook paper, two folders, my lab notebook (I only have this on days when I have labs), a green 3-subject notebook from last semester (so now it's more of a 1.5 subject notebook), a pink 1-subject notebook, my agenda and my Blogilates fit journal.


What I carry in my backpack depends on how each of my courses are structures. Last semester I had an English class where the prof passed out so much paper it needed it's own binder and on the flip side I had a Mass Comm class where I didn't get a single sheet of paper. Most times I would carry one binder and folder depending on what classes I have that day or what work I need to do outside of class. I would also have a textbook if I needed. Like I said, it depends on the course. Most times, the prof gives lectures so you don't need the textbook in class; you need it when you're doing homework.


And this is my Blogilates fit journal. I made a post about it earlier. I did 4 weeks back in February and then stopped because of some health issues so fitness wasn't my top priority. I have 8 weeks left on this so I may start it back up in September.


This is my regular school-related agenda that I got from Walmart for $8. There weren't many agendas I could find under $10 but Walmart surprisingly had a great variety with pretty designs.


In the thinner large compartment is where I would keep my laptop. I got this laptop case from Walmart a while back. Just goes to show you can find nice things at a Walmart. My lab coat is also in there. I also bring it on days I would have a lab.



In the thin zipper in the front (which I call my go to pocket), I keep some writing utensils for easy access. I have a pencil bag but when I need a pen/pencil asap I don't want to have to go through two layers of zippers to get one. That's just extraneous zipping.


I have a black Papermate pen which comes on a variety of colors other than yellow. I have 3 BIC colored pens. It came in a pack of I think 10 and with a green pen but it's hard to see green ink. I have a houndstooth mechanical pencil which in my mind is the MVP of writing utensils. First, it's a mechanical pencil. Then, it's shaped like a regular pencil (hexagonal shape). Then it's houndstooth printed. It came in a pack of 12 from Staples for $6 and it's still there if you want to buy them. Then I have a free pen I got because colleges give you free pens. And lastly, I have a highlighter.


In the small compartment I have my TInspire calculator and my pencil bag. It carries the other 5 designs from my collection of mechanical pencils, the remaining highlighter colors, extra free college pens, other black pens with different color plastics and some flags to use for bookmarking.


In the smallest pocket at the very front I keep things that I would normally carry in my purse like my phone and my wallet/keys. I would probably throw a lip balm and a granola bar in there too.


On the side I have a place for my water bottle. Honestly this was my favorite part of the backpack because my old Jansport backpack didn't have this and this was the one MUST-HAVE feature I needed in a new backpack. I always carried a water bottle in the main compartment of my backpack and sometimes it would get my papers dirty.

So that was everything in my backpack. Like I said before, the chances of ALL these rings being in my backpack at the same time is pretty low. Once I figure out how to efficiently stuff my backpack it will probably be lighter. And I can't guarantee I won't lose any pens/pencils in my go to pocket after the first week. I hope you liked this post. Keep following for more posts. I am pretty determined to keep posting at least one a week.

xx


Monday, June 2, 2014

FOLLOW ME TO AMSTERDAM

I made a Youtube video compilation about my time in Amsterdam. If you look back at my history, you can see the blog posts I did back in December 2013. I thought you would like to see Amsterdam through my eyes. Subscribe to my YT channel: ima007ninja.

My Thoughts On: The Fault in Our Stars


Disclaimer: I am in no way qualified to review books in a deep and intellectual manner. I mean, I only made a 630 on the English section of my SATs.

Let me just say, I love this book.  I don't know how John Green is able to simultaneously delve into the mind of a teenage girl and present a romance so sophisticated and yet believable.  He has written so many quotable moments in this book ("I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly, and then all at once." "The world is not a wish granting factory") with an ending I couldn't have imagined.  Augustus and Hazel are no ordinary teenagers.  Their personalities and their relationship are far beyond their years.

I'm going to be the first to admit, I was very behind the TFIOS craze. I followed John Green and vlogbrothers for quite a while but it wasn't until I had  lot of free time this summer that I sat down and read the book.  It took me on an emotional journey and I felt pretty depressed for a few days. It's a refreshing change from the teen paranormal romance/dystopian revolution YA books lately. But I loved this book and I know it will be a book I will come back to every once and a while.

I bought tickets for me and my best friend to the Night Before Our Stars event so we can see the film a day before it officially released. It includes a charm bracelet, a movie poster and a live streamed Q&A with Shailene Woodley, Nat Wolff, Ansel Elgort, John Green, ... (you get the idea). If you live in the US and happen to see this before June 5th, I highly encourage you to go to this event. 


Monday, May 19, 2014

OOTD: Graduation Day




Back with another post! This was the outfit I wore last Saturday to my alma mater's Graduation. I woke up late and only had 15 minutes to get dressed and get my hair and makeup on.  It was so weird coming back and watching my babies graduate. I didn't take a lot of photos so there is very little evidence of what I wore that day but here it is:



This is a dress from Papaya Clothing. I was deciding between this and a peach lace dress and then I was thinking "Okay, you already have so many dresses like this. Time to switch it up?" So I went with this dark floral dress with the lace in the middle. It almost makes this dress look like a two piece outfit. I love the neckline because it is something that I don't have in my closet. This dress is different, but still has the floral print which seems to never go out of style. It is that stretchy cotton type material. For me, it hit to the top of my knee (and I'm 5ft6in) so it is not too short. The best part is that it is only $15.99 and with the gift card I had, I only had to pay like $7 for it.

Dress Link: http://www.papayaclothing.com/shop/goods_detail_v1.php?goodsIdx=30875


The shoes I got from Payless back during Easter weekend when they were having a sale. They were originally $35 and I got them for $20. They are very tall but not too uncomfortable. Although the area around the ball of my foot was beginning to feel uncomfortable after a few hours. But I love the mint color and the look. They don't even look like I got them from Payless.

I loved this look and I hope the have the opportunity to wear this dress again. It is such a nice addition to my closet.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Nightmare

Sometimes I like to pretend I'm Taylor Swift and write about my feelings. Someone turn this into a song so I can get royalties. I have not polished this to make it perfect. This is pretty much raw, one-take kind of writing. On a side note, I have this weird recurring dream that someone is holding me and my family at gunpoint. Is that weird? xoxo

It's half past twelve and I'm sitting alone
Not the first time it's happened
Not the last time I'll know
It wasn't meant to be this way
This wasn't the life I planned for myself

But I'm here all alone
Trying to avoid the stares
I bet they know it too
How miserable I feel
To be stuck in this place
Where I can't find my way
It's my own little nightmare
I can't seem to escape

But I carry on because I know it won't last
Put on a big smile and fake it 'till it's real
Things will change and I will survive
I'm a fighter by day and a believer by night

Until then I'll be sitting alone
Writing about how good life will be
Watching the clock tick by and by
Good things happen to good people
Isn't that the truth?

So don't you worry about that girl in the corner
She's gonna be alright.


Sunday, March 16, 2014

#SB2014

You have seen it in movies. Half-naked girls, unlimited flow of alcohol, scandalous and possibly illegal activities. For many college kids and young adults, this is the usual Spring Break experience.

But not me.

I have never thought of myself as the "party girl". Maybe one day I'll discover what it's like to be one, to wake up not knowing what you did the night before, to do things you never thought you would but did for the hell of it being Spring Break, to be reckless and carefree; but this is not the day.

So I spent the week glued to my electronics. I got to relax and spend 50% of my day in bed. I watched an unhealthy amount of old Law and Order: SVU episodes. I was somewhat productive in buying a new internet modem/router and fixing my family's wifi and going shopping at the mall. I scored a gorgeous new clutch purse, some tank tops, and a couple of spring/summer headbands.

If anyone is still concerned, my hair issue is still an issue. I think that is how I phrased it the last time. You would think there would be a point when my hair would stop shedding, but my body continues to prove me wrong. My dermatologist prescribed iron supplements so I think that a stupid iron deficiency was the root to my entire problem. I'm really nervous because at this point, two months after I started seeing the signs, it's pretty obvious that I have lost a ton of hair. I have to wear a hat/headband/beanie everyday now.

So life is pretty terrible right now but I'm trying to stay positive. I don't have a life-threatening illness. I haven't lost any limbs. I'm not in a hospital bed. And I will get better. I will get through this.




Saturday, March 1, 2014

A Month in Review: February 2014

Happy End of February Everyone. I think it's safe to say that we have now all gotten used to the fact that it is 2014 and that 2014 is already 1/6 over. I started my Blogilates Fit Journal and I will be honest, it was been a rocky start but I'm working on it. I've got midterms coming up. So to celebrate, here are some of my favorites.

Music
BASTILLE - Bad Blood album
Bo Burnham

I chose the entire Bastille album because there are too many songs that I like.  I first heard Pompeii in September before it was cool when I studied abroad.  They are a British band so it would make sense that we Americans were behind the 8 ball with this band. I listed Bo Burnham as an artist because I discovered him in February and listened to his albums. He is a musical comedian. Some highlights include: Words Words Words, Repeat Stuff & Sad.

TV
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Chicago PD
Parks and Recreation

If you didn't know, I absolutely adore Seth Meyers and I am so glad that I can see his face 5 hours a week.  He is such a natural. The comedy bits are a little shaky right now, but I know he will hit gold soon. Chicago PD is relatively new. I never watched Chicago Fire but one of the creators is an alum of my university and he came to give a talk. I went for the extra credit and I stayed for the amazing show that is Chicago PD. Parks and Rec is a netflix find. I had finished all 7 seasons of 30 Rock and I figured it was the next logical step.

Books
...
...
...

Ahem. Yeah. I got nothing. I really shouldn't force this. I will read when I have the time to read. But Spring Break is this week so maybe I can read a book this month.

2 months down. 10 more to go.